Protesters hurt as violence continues in Sora
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kakching, April 08 2022: As the protest against land demarcation/acquisition in Yaithibi Loukol area continues, many people were reportedly injured on Friday in violent clashes that took place between protesters and police.

Local sources said that after the violent clash on Thursday that resulted in injuries on both sides, government officials continued land survey work under heavy security cover of Thoubal district police and IRB personnel from early Friday morning.

As the officials started digging up boundary trench, locals of Sora came out and blocked NH-102 (Imphal Moreh) demanding the officials to stop the survey work.

As the situation became tense, security personnel fired tear gas shells, rubber bullet and live rounds to disperse the protestors.

On the other hand, the protesters pelted stones and used slingshots against the security personnel.

The irate protesters burned a police booth and a motorcycle of a commando jawan at Sora Ching Wangma.

Police removed road blocks piled up by the protesters using excavators.

Both sides suffered injuries in the clash that took place from early morning till the evening.

Several protesters namely Md Kefaya (24) son of late MV Nurullah of Sora Maning Leikai, MV Abdul Hasim (24) son of Md Abdullah of Sora Ching Wangma, Md Nawaj (26) son of Md Abdul Khallique of Sora Karanchi, Md Atomba (23) son of Md Nahachao of Sora Mayai Leikai, Md Imran (20) son of Md Abdur Rasid of Sora Ching Wangma, Md Yahiya Khan (29) son of late MV Abdullah of Sora Ching Wangma, Md Naimuddin (22) son of Md Ibotomba of Sora Makha Leikai and Md Sohail (13) son of Md Atel of Sora Mayai Leikai were injured in the clash.

Interacting with the media, Kakching ZP up-adhyaksha Md Nazimuddin said that government officials as per the order of DC Thoubal began boundary survey of the land area, which was originally acquired by the government for the purpose of constructing National Sports University, for construction of a mega food park without giving any prior information to the public and elected local leaders.

As the government officials included several areas, which were not acquired by the government earlier, for the survey they requested the DC Thoubal, Kakching MLA M Rameshwar and SP Thoubal to clear the misunderstanding before continuing the work.

Instead of inviting for talk, the officials began boundary survey work before dawn under heavy security cover and it infuriated the local people.

They strongly condemned MLA Rameshwar for remaining silent over the matter instead of resolving the issue.

The public controlled their anger on Thursday following the assurance of DC and SP Thoubal to arrange a meeting with the government to settle the issue.

But what they did on Friday is breach of trust and it infuriated the local residents.

As a result, the local people have given the elected representatives of local bodies an ultimatum to either stand on the side of the government or with the public, he said.

He also condemned the government for creating unrest and violence during Ramzan month.

As a result of the clash, there were no Zuma Namaj in the two Masjids located at Sora Chirig Wangma, he said while expressing fear if anti-Muslim agendas are being pursued in Manipur too.

He also said that loss of agricultural land is increasing in the state after 2017 and drew attention of chief minister N Biren, who once stood for protecting agricultural land, to look into the matter and resolve the issue.

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